I decided to switch Spring Moon for Felix, so here is L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon from earlier today.

If any of you don't know, L'atelier is the counter seating section of the restaurant. There is also Le Jardin which is traditional table seating with pretty much the same menu.

I have to say, it was refreshing to eat at a place like this. It is not a stereotypical Michelin 3* restaurant. It's pretty loud, and you get a front row seat to the action.


I was seated near the salad station

On offer today were a series of prix fixe menus, a discovery menu, a tapas menu with selections from the discovery menu, and a smattering of standard a la carte options.

I decided to try a trio of selections from the tapas-like menu, settling on the jamon iberico, quail stuffed with foie gras served with the legendary JR mashed potatoes, and lastly, the mini burgers served with foie gras, sweet peppers, and fries.

First up was the bread basket, I wasn't really listening when the waiter named them all, but the bacon bread was awe inspiring, and there was another that seemed to be a cheese bread.


Top right is the bacon bread

JR butter, they were quick to let me know they have "several" other types of butter if I needed or wanted it.

Amuse of a duck breast and foie gras soup-esque thing, served with popcorn and a truffle and cheese ball

Jamon, as good as ever. Always a treat to have

Foie stuffed quail, served alongside the famous mashed potatoes. Just a word on the potatoes, I've heard the ratio of potato to butter is 2:1, and I now believe it. Not to be outdone, it is served under a dome of truffle shavings.

Burger and fries

Closer look

Every part of this meal was fantastic. The service was not stalker-like as it is at so many other Michelin 3* restaurants, but they knew when to intervene. The food was also great, especially the burgers. They were cooked medium, which is extremely hard with such small patties, and the sweet peppers were a great compliment to the rich foie gras.

This has been my favorite meal of the trip, I feel kinda bad going to French restaurants while in China, but I am really glad I did, definitely one I will return to, and it's nice they have some outlets elsewhere.

One more general thought:

Michelin dining seems to be a lot more casual and relaxed here than it does in the US. At lunch there were people in t-shirts and jeans. I'm not saying it is bad, I am just used to jackets required.